Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARPERF’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARPERF’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARPERF’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2010/0490 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 (03/02/10) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTARPERF’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very large fruit with very good eating quality, fresh fruit for fresh market in late August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) white nectarine tree, standard variety, for reliable description. ‘NECTARPERF’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has a semi-early to semi-late flowering period, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTARPERF’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. The male parent is ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 17,707), a very productive yellow nectarine tree and the female parent ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) is a white nectarine tree with very good gustative qualities. ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) results from a free pollination of ‘MAILLARFLAT’ (SWEETCAP®, non-patented) white flat peach tree that was used as the seed parent. ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) blooms in the end of March near Elne, France, between 18^(th) and 27^(th) of March, eleven days after ‘SNOWQUEEN’ or ‘ZAITABO’ (BIG TOP®) varieties with the same climatic conditions. The maturity period is late, from end of August to beginning of September. The productivity is very good. The fruit is very attractive, large and firm, semi-sweet and aromatic, with a very long shelf life. ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 17,707) results from a crossing between a male parent of ‘ZAITABO’ (BIGTOP®) variety and a female parent of ‘ANDANO’ (RED DIAMOND®—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165) variety. It blooms in March and more precisely between the 5^(th) and the 20^(th) of March. The fruit ripens in July, approximately between the 14^(th) and the 20^(th) of July. ‘NECTARPERF’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. ‘NECTARPERF’ variety has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree ‘NECTARPERF’ blooms in early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms around 4 to 5 days after ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384). The blooming period is considered semi-early to semi-late.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARPERF’ ripens from late August to beginning of September, around 4 to 5 days after the first fruit of ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 25^(th) and the 31^(st) of August.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety ‘NECTARPERF’.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows four typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety; leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 shows a typical ‘NECTARPERF’ tree.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTARPERF’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early to semi-late in springtime. The type of flower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is white with usually a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around in a star-shape on approximately 7.0 mm. Fruit skin is very thick, of bright purple red color on a pink-washed red ground. The stone is clingstone, of medium size and the flesh is more or less adherent according to the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S Plant Pat. No. 19,384) the flowering is earlier of 4 to 5 days and is considered semi-early to semi-late. The maturity period is later of 4 to 5 days and is considered as late. The fruit is very round, bright purple red on 90% of the fruit skin on a pink red ground; much more colored than the varieties available at that period of the year. The fruit is also very firm and resistant in comparison with other varieties available at that period of the year.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the second fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large as compared to other common commercial             nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year was             approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50             meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80             meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters including             current seasons shoots length.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Strong vigor. The present variety grew from about             60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the             first and following growing seasons. For second and             following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate             height of 2.50 meters.         -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was             necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be too             important because of the high magnifying potential of the             fruit.         -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored             with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on             different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised             between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of             the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained             temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was             also very resistant to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.0 centimeters and 6.5             centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately             30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second             growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the             second growing season. The number of lenticels reaches 4 to             6 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from             approximately 0.15 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to             0.4 centimeters in width.         -   Lenticels color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a             silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside             surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C to 166 D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201 B             to 201 C or RHS N200C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety. Mature branches             show a length between 70.0 and 90.0 centimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0             millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing             season have a diameter comprised between 10.0 and 19.0             millimeters.         -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is             several years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 70 degrees and 90             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Internode length.—Generally 23.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to 199             B).         -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A             to 144 C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper             part is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE             GROUP 187 A to 187 B or GREYED RED 182 A) following the             position on the shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is above 3.11.         -   Leaf length.—From 161.0 to 187.0 millimeters with leaf             petiole. Average length of 174.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—From 50.0 to 60.0 millimeters. Average width of             56.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal             axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Tip form.—Acuminate, small.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN 137             A). Lower surface. A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B to             137 C) than the upper leaf surface color. Leaf texture.             Smooth and glabrous. Leaf venation. Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW             GREEN 145 C to 145 D) evolving with the maturity. Leaf             margins. Slightly undulating. Form. Considered slightly             dentate. Uniformity. Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2             or 3. In this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size             with one or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and             more).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium. Length. About 7.0 to             12.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 2.0 millimeters. Color.             Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A)             and light green with a cream touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 C             to 145 D) on the lower surface.         -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about             2.0 millimeters. Their width is between 1.2 and 1.5             millimeter. Number. Generally 2 to 3. Type. Reniform. Color.             On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered pale green             (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf gland color             turns to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A to 199 B).             Margins. Smooth and regular.         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed at             the base of the petioles. But as seen in the characteristic             relative to the leaves uniformity, it is possible to find             leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a normal-size leaf and             smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,             the floral buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their             form is evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions.             Just before blooming, floral buds are approximately 15.0             millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long.             Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or             GREYED BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is             generally of pale rose color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B to 65 D).             Petals color shows an evolution until the end of blooming.             Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,             with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The             current variety has not been intentionally subjected to             drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good             resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an             average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks             in summer. Date of bloom. Generally early March. The first             bloom was observed on Mar. 1, 2005. Second, third and fourth             blooms took place respectively on Feb. 26, 2008, Mar. 4,             2009 and Mar. 20, 2010. Blooming time. Considered semi-early             to semi-late in relative comparison to other commercial             nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales             department, France. The date of full bloom is observed at             the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom varies             slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.             Duration of bloom. Approximately 7 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.             Flower type. The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower. Flower size. Considered large. Flower diameter at             full bloom is approximately 35.0 to 40.0 millimeters. Bloom             quantity. Considered abundant, approximately 40 flowers per             meter. Flower bud frequency. Generally 2 flower buds appear             per node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium to large for the species.             Length. Generally about 20.0 millimeters. Width. Generally             about 20.0 millimeters. Petal form. Round. Petal count.             Nearly always 5. Petal texture. Smooth, soft and glabrous.             Petal color. Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             medium Pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B to 65 D) when young,             darkening with advancing senescence. Fragrance. Soft.         -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic             form with a very slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately             7.0 to 8.0 millimeters. Width. Average 4.0 millimeters.             Petal margins. Slightly wavy, sinuate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally             complete at the tip and large round.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having             an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.             Diameter. Average 2.0 millimeters. Color. Brown to light             brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C to N199 D).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.             The outer surface of the calyx is considered purple-brown             (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183 D or GREY BROWN 199 A)             color. The inner surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW 13 A to             13 B or YELLOW GREEN 150 A to 150 B).         -   Sepals.—Number. Generally 5. Surface texture. The outer             surface has a fine pubescent texture. Size. Medium. Ovoid             shape. Length. Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0             millimeters. Width. Approximately between 4.0 and 5.0             millimeters. Color. Generally, both surfaces of the sepals             are colored with a flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A to 183             D or GREY BROWN 199 A). Average number of stamens per             flower. Average 40 stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Color. Yellow-orange-red color (RHS             YELLOW ORANGE 16 A to 16 B). Anthers are becoming brown (RHS             GREYED RED 178 A) after maturity. Pollen production. Pollen             is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B             to 17 C) evolving with maturity. The present variety is             auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to             14.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered pale pink (RHS             RED PURPLE 62 C to 62 D or RED PURPLE 73 A to 73 B). The             color is evolving with flowering.         -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 13.0             to 16.0 millimeters including the ovary. Their length is             usually lower than the length of the stamens. Color.             Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D or RHS             YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with flowering.             Surface texture. Glabrous. -   Fruits:     -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 5, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010.         -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 12, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Generally. Considered very large, with a homogeneous             size between them. Average cheek diameter. From 80.0             millimeters to 90.0 millimeters. Average axial diameter.             From 73.0 millimeters 80.0 millimeters. Typical weight.             Generally between 280.0 grams and 330.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. Round to slightly oblong. The fruit             is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.             Fruit suture. Flared shape, slightly marked, extending from             the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching             exists along the suture line.         -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the             blush fruit color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE             187 A to 187 B) on a ground (RHS RED 47 C to 47 D).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. Not prominent, slightly             marked, very small. Base. Semi-flared. Shallow. Stem cavity.             Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0 millimeters.             Average width is about 15.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered very thick and strong, and             tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.             Texture. Smooth. Taste. Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.             Tendency to crack. None.         -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous bright             purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A to 187 B or RED 47 A to             47 B). The red blush covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependent upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.             Ground color. The ground color appears until 10% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered washed-pink red (RHS             RED 47 C to 47 D). Fruit stem. Medium in length,             approximately 10.0 millimeters. Diameter. Approximately 4.0             to 5.0 millimeters. Color. Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145             A to 145 B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. Very homogenous, slow, very evenly. Texture.             Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious and juicy at             harvesting maturity stage. Fibers. Not fibrous. Aroma.             Pronounced. Eating quality. Considered very good, sweet and             aromatic. Flavor. Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is             generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy             and aromatic. Juice. Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix.             Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;             prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic             conditions. Flesh color. White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A to             155 B) with usually a slight red pigmentation in the stone             cavity and star-shaped around the stone cavity (RHS RED             53 A) on about 7.0 millimeters.         -   Stone.—Type. Clingstone, more or less adherent according to             the fruit maturity. Stone cavity. Medium size, with an             elliptic-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's             dimensions. Size. Considered medium for the variety. The             stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree             vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions. Length.             From 34.0 to 37.0 millimeters. Width. From 24.0 to 25.0             millimeters. Diameter. From 17.0 to 22.0 millimeters. Form.             Elliptic. Base. Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. The stone apex is very prominent and has a             pointed tip.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. The pit is usually             transversely furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are             more pronounced toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward             the base. Relief is prominent generally and present basally.             Ridges. The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. Considered small to medium, and having             a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Grooved. Stone color. The color of the             dry stone is red-brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE N186 C or 187 A to             187 B) with some zones of light brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174             B to 174 C). Tendency to split. Splitting is absent or very             low, depending on climatic conditions between blooming             period and stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 19.0 millimeters. Width.             About 12.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 5.0 millimeters.             Form. Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. Light and             pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS             GREYED ORANGE N167 A to 167 B). The almond, which is the             seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B). The             kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARPERF’ is considered to be a             white nectarine tree of the late season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and             attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked             consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh             quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at             2° degree Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low             sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to             conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong             skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin color, with a very high percentage of bright purple red. 